This was the original Seminole Heights blog with commentary about life in and around the urban neighborhood of Seminole Heights in Tampa, Florida. Musings about other topics as my mood permits. The blog is essentially inactive since I moved to Lutz. Go to The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog - www.seminoleheightsblog.com for active content.

Are you sure they need permits to clear out (demo) the inside of the building? I don't think so. From these pictures, with the exception of the tin ceiling, as one poster sited, it looks as though they have done a pretty respectable job of demolition and are preparing the inside well for whatever is to come. Living in such close proximity to this building, I can say, I have YET to see any prolonged mess, throughout this process. They have been very neat, have not left any mess after they've called it a day, and so far, it looks as though they are doing a good job.

I would guess that now would be the time to see permits posted ... any electrical and plumbing most DEFINITELY needs permitting, as well it SHOULD!

Nice to see ppl keeping an eye on what's going on, but remember, we can't jump the gun. If you have questions regarding their permitting status, call the city agency that give permits and verify it. Personally, I don't know who to call, but I'm sure our esteemed blogmaster can tell you!

When original, distinctive fixtures are torn from a historic building in a historic area (like windows and tin ceilings) that diminishes the quality of the neighborhood. Dunno if I'd say it was the "worst" thing, but certainly it isn't a good thing.

There's a person in my part of the neighborhood that buys and sells antiques for a living. They'd never consider tearing out part of their antique and replacing it with something modern and yet they now have plastic windows in their cute historic cottage. Why?

Yes, you must have a permit to demo. Think about it. Many walls, etc are structural, load bearing elements to a building. If any Joe Smoe could demo without a permit, this could be a very dangerous thing. I am not convinced that the people renovating this building know what they are doing. I just hope that they ahve not damaged this building beyond repair.

GREAT FROM SEX OFFENDERS TO STRIPPERS. LIKE WE CAN AFFORD TO LET THAT HAPPEN. DO WE AS A NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE A PLAN TO PREVENT THIS. LETS START A POSTING FRENZY OF IDEAS ON HERE TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING.

It will never happen. 1) There is no parking, they will have to apply for a variance, the Civic Assoc will never allow this. 2) They will have to apply for a liquor license. I am not sure this will pass. 3) I don't think they have proper permitting. IF the F'ing city of Tampa employees would do their jobs, they could probably fine these clowns now and stop demolitian.

Flyer anon said... " Anon 9:31How can someone fixing up the building be "the worst thing to happen in our hood in a long time"?

******** Flyer Anon, if they are doing damage to one of the few historic or old buildings in the n'hood, then this is one of the worst things. Since we don't have many commercial properties, we must protect.

You cannot open an adult business without getting a special variance that the neighborhood association will be notified about. Period. There is no zoning that permits adult businesses without a special permit.

That said, gettting the city to close down an illegal business isn't easy. 5606 Nebraska used to be a sex club and it took a lot of neighbors picketing and calling the news media to get it closed.

When a person demo's a historic building like this, I believe the city should enforce stiffer penalties and fines. If these people do not have permits, they should be slapped with a four figure fine quickly. This will encourage these clowns to disclose intentions and move according to zoning and city laws.

Is it listed as an historic building?It's just an OLD building.As Shreeky's been saying, the demo part probably dosen't need permits. A four figure fine for what? Upsetting YOU! I think they deserve a medal. At this point I think their intention is to not let the building get worse.

Hows that go "opinions are like a$$holes"Well anon 11:07, you're a BIG opinion.

I really think this is just someone's cruel joke at getting all the neighbors juked up. All posts previous to mine have outlined each and every single reason why a strip club will NEVER open there.

So I, for one, am NOT going to let it get me in a frenzy.

But I will say ... if it should come to pass that this is not a rumor, but in fact true, I hope each and every person who posts their opposition to it on this blog is willing to pitch in and do something to fight it! Not just by posting on this blog ... write up a petition in protest; walk around and have your neighbors sign it; attend any city council meeting that address this issue; e-mail our council members stating your opposition, etc. There are many ways to "fight city hall" on issues such as this, and many of those ways do not involve a large investment of your time.

We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood that is perceived by the City as being vocal, strong and united. It's times such as these that give us the opportunity to prove just how true that perception is.

Flyer Anon, I want to know what your parents did to you to make you such a cranky pants. I know it gets worse with age, but I am not sure you can get any worse. As long as I have known of you, you have always been the royal pain in the ass of this neighborhood. You hate progress, you will argue and fight with anyone. However, you will have to realize that you are an ignorant old goat that will have to eventually come into the 21st century. Times progress, things change, period. This neighborhoods demo graphics are not the same. They have changed and now residents want better service to accommodate their lifestyle. We do demand better services, etc. Unfortunately, with the gentrification of a neighborhood, it will force businesses to change products and services, etc. For you to argue every step of the way to slow momentum is starting to become a major nuisance.

Now I know why your name is really "Flyer" anon. You are that one pesky gnat at the picnic that is so freaking annoying.

The funniest part about flyer is that he thought this would really happen. He sat back in his filthy little house laughing and drinking his beer saying "I'll show them, when the Nude Bar Opens up, I will laugh saying I knew all along!"

Word to the wise, SESH is a true neighborhood. We make it OUR BUSINESS to know what is going on. We voice our opinions and we are vocal. We work hard to ensure that everything happening in our hood is for the betterment of our neighborhood. I agree with the prevous poster that this bar will NEVER open.

Just to stir the pot a bit, if there is no way a "gentleman's club" can open up in SE Seminole Heights, then how did Simone's get permission across the river in Sulphur Springs? There is a residential neighborhood right behind it... It may be easier to do than we think.

because Simone's location had already been a bar soooo technically it was not a change of use for that location but this building does not currently have a bar use so it will need to go to city council for a change of use approval - If I understand correctly - also this property is zoned CG (I believe) not CI which will limit the possible uses. It is all a moot point because the parking or lack thereof will pretty much kill any use unless they have a 50 yr lease from the Dist Auto Pts for use of their parking.

Unlike the property at Ida and Nebraska, Simone's has parking, first of all. And while I sertainly am NO authority on this, I can only surmise the following differences ...

There is NOT a church within the specified distance that would prohibit an establishment with a liquor license. That property was previously zoned for alcohol (wet zone), as there have been many bars at that location prior.

Finally, and most sadly, Sulphur Springs doesn't have the voice that "greater seminole heights" has. Joseph Robinson, the president of the Sulphur Springs Action League is one heck of a wonderful leader in his community, but I don't think he has the strength in numbers that we do, at least, not yet.

And just because Simone's is operating there, doesn't necessarily mean it's legal. At the speed that our Code Enforcement works, who knows? It may not be permissible at all, Code just hasn't gotten around to them yet (if ever they will).

All of you who are speaking out here and those who read but do not speak out....if you feel passionately about this and if you care then you will be called upon in to do your part to support your neighborhoods effort to keep this place from happening.

This is definitely a case where a lot of work will need to be done and voices will need to be heard.

About Me

Creative Loafing's 2006 Best of the Bay - Best Local Blog - Runner Up and "One of the best civic-oriented chronicles in the Bay Area and a must-read for those in Central Tampa" Wayne Garcia - Political Editor, Creative Loafing (2005)

Selected by the TBT* as one of the six must read blogs of Tampa Bay area (2005)